Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has reiterated his call for increased military efforts to restore law and order and enable communities to return to their farms.
Lawal made the call while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Gusau on Monday.
He said security remained the foundation for meaningful development, noting that Zamfara’s largely agrarian population only needed a safe environment to farm and sustain their livelihoods.
“It is a pertinent call for intensified military support and stronger collaboration to address the insecurity that has continued to bedevil the people of the state and the North-West region for several years,” he said.
Lawal described the CDS’s visit as timely and a clear demonstration of the Armed Forces’ commitment to tackling security challenges in Zamfara and the wider North-West region.
He noted that the presence of the military high command would serve as a strong deterrent to criminal elements operating within and around the state.
The governor stressed that improving security at the community level remained critical, insisting that restoring safety in Zamfara would significantly reduce insecurity across the region.
He recounted a recent encounter with residents of the Wanzaamai community, who blocked his convoy to express concerns over persistent bandit attacks following the withdrawal of security personnel from their area.
According to him, the emotional appeal from women and children highlighted the urgent need for renewed military presence and protection in vulnerable communities.
Lawal said the criminal elements were not stronger than Nigeria’s security forces but emphasized the need for strategic coordination, adequate logistics, and sustained operational support to defeat them.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by security personnel and pledged continued support from the state government to complement federal efforts.
The governor also appealed to the Defence Chief to provide additional assistance to field commanders, including Theatre and Brigade Commanders, to enhance their effectiveness in ongoing operations.
Lawal expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for continued support to the Armed Forces while calling for increased intervention to strengthen security at the grassroots level.
Earlier, Oluyede said the visit was part of efforts to assess ongoing military operations under Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) and engage stakeholders on improving security in the region.
The defence chief said he had reviewed operational activities on the ground, adding that several challenges identified by troops had already been addressed, while others were under consideration.
“I want to particularly thank Your Excellency for the support you have rendered to Operation Fansan Yamma.
“It is quite uncommon. Such collaboration significantly boosts the morale and effectiveness of troops in the field,” he said.
Oluyede also appreciated the people of Zamfara for their cooperation with security forces, noting that their support had created a conducive environment for military operations.
He stressed that addressing insecurity requires collective responsibility, expressing optimism that with sustained collaboration among the military, government, and citizens, banditry and other criminal activities in Zamfara and the North-West region would be effectively curtailed.
